Happy Hump Day Bump Day, once again! It's unbelievable how quickly these weeks are moving. It seems like just a couple of weeks ago, I was complaining about my ultra-sensitive nose and my extreme food aversions. My, how I've grown since then--literally.

About a week ago (maybe longer), I noticed the appearance of the linea negra, or "black line," on my abdomen. This line isn't really black; it's more like a brown or dark tan, and it's very narrow. It goes from my pubic area to all the way past my navel. It doesn't hurt or cause any inconvenience. It's just odd and exciting to see the changes my body is going through.

(A side note to my son: Sorry, I know you don't want to be reading about your mother's nether regions, but it's nature's way, you know? I just want you to know that at least some parts of me are indeed normal.)

Yesterday, I got an automated e-mail from one of the pregnancy Web sites with which I'm registered, welcoming me to my third trimester. !! I'd like to think I'm not quite there yet! Technically, I've got two more weeks left in my second trimester. I'm trying to hold on to each day as best as I can. October will be here in a flash, and I want to appreciate this pregnancy and be as prepared as possible for our bundle of joy to arrive.

Monday, June 28, 2010

As The Beatles once sang, "Shine, the world looks fine." It's raining right this evening, a rare summer treat here in North Texas. I am definitely a rain person. I get bored of sunshine too easily.

This surprise shower sends me into a daydream of future rain showers when my son is here. I hold him as we look out the window to watch the drops fall from the sky and the trees and the eves. I softly sing Beatles songs to him. He rests against me. Life is what it should, be at this very moment.

Friday, June 25, 2010

I want to try to remember it for ever: the first time I felt my baby have hiccups.

It might have happened very early this morning, before I got out of bed. I was falling in and out of sleep, waiting for the alarm to go off. I could have sworn I felt a consistent something...

...But later today, while I was sitting at my desk at work, I felt what was most certainly my baby boy hiccuping. Those every-three-second jolts caused me to tear up with inexplicable joy. I immediately texted Joey, and he too teared up. Then my waterworks really started flowing as I thought about how connected to my son I instantly felt. I sniffled at my desk for a good half-hour afterward, trying to avoid answering anyone's work-related questions. I wanted to be left alone in my moment.

This day has been the most emotional yet during my pregnancy. I want to capture this feeling and never let it loose. I want to always remember the first day I was aware of how intense my maternal bond with my baby could be.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Today marks 24 weeks, the point at which my baby would stand a 50% chance of survival if he arrived. Viability Day--or V Day, as it is called at my frequent Internet haunt The Bump--is something to be happy about, yes. But let's hope my baby doesn't decide to leave the building, as it were, for many, many more weeks.

Speaking of The Bump, today was Hump Day Bump Day, where the ladies all post pics of their bellies. Today was the first day I participated, and here was my submission:

Between my outdated phone and the poor lighting in my office's bathroom, it's no small wonder that this photo turned out at all.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Whenever I think about the myriad things I have to do to prepare for the baby, I feel overwhelmed. To respond to this, my body's defense mechanism is to become worn out. I just got up from a 2-hour nap. I really need to get going on the nursery, and I need to kick my parenting and baby reading and research into high gear. But then I get so sleepy again...

I had my first "cankle" this week. Yep, my left ankle swelled up. Luckily, the swelling was minor, but it did last for about a day and a half. It was alarming, but based on everything I've been reading, this swelling is normal at this stage of the pregnancy.

I've had to work a lot of overtime this week. Plus, a coworker has been coming in to the office while sick--with a stomach bug, no less! I had to work from home yesterday to avoid the germs because she wouldn't go home, but my duties required me to be back in the office today. I made sure I wore my latex gloves and sprayed Lysol readily. Sure, I got laughed at, but I don't care. I'm doing everything I can to prevent myself and my unborn son from being harmed. I can't understand how some people can be so inconsiderate.

On a lighter note, I am feeling the baby regularly now. He's getting strong enough to jolt me awake at night! Besides kicking when I lie down, he also likes to kick when I'm eating. As sleep deprived as his movement might make me, I still relish it and look forward to it. I wish Joey could feel these kicks from the inside. They give me a whole new reason to smile and be thankful.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

This weekend, as usual, flew by. Yesterday, we went to a birthday party for Preston, Andrew and Jennifer's son. He just turned two and is simply precious. We loved watching the kids playing in the water and jumping in the bounce house. I made sure to take mental notes for parenting! We came to the party with a gift, and we left with gifts of our own--lots of toys and supplies that Preston no longer uses. We got a bathtub, a Baby Bjorn carrier (I can now remove this from my registry!), an activity mat, and all sorts of other goodies (thanks, Andrew and Jennifer!).

Thursday, June 10, 2010

My disposition has improved a bit over the past few days. I no longer feel blue like I did last week. The baby has been making his presence known more than ever before (he's been highly active), so that probably has a lot to do with my lifted spirits.

As much as I am enjoying the second trimester, I sometimes wish I could fast-forward to October, when I can finally hold my son in my arms. Other times, though, I want to bask in this fabulous second-trimester glow for as long as possible--Joey loves the way I look, and honestly, so do I. But time will continue to move quickly, and autumn will be here before we know it. And then we'll be parents.

Monday, June 7, 2010

I had a routine visit with the doctor today. All seems to be well. The baby's heart sounds good, and I've gained 7 pounds since I got pregnant. However, the size of my uterus--a key measurement in determining the baby's growth--is a bit ahead of schedule. Our boy is growing fast! My only concern about this is that babies tend to be larger if the mother has gestational diabetes, which commonly leads to Cesarean sections. I will be tested for gestational diabetes at my next visit, in 4 weeks, so we'll know more by then. The doctor is not concerned at all, so I guess I shouldn't be concerned either.

Also, I got some more good news from the doctor: I've been avoiding hot dogs and deli meat in vain. I had read in many places that pregnant women should avoid hot dogs because of the nitrates and uncooked deli meat because of the risk of listeriosis. However, my doctor isn't very concerned about these risks and said I can munch on these items in moderation, probably once a week. Five months of hot-doglessness is about to come to an end--woo hoo!!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Hey, look! Somebody's pregnant! I feel more confident about my body now than I have in a long time. My skin is clearing up, I don't have stretch marks (yet), and I get lots of attention. I have to say, I'm still feeling very good. I am thankful every day for this experience.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Just got a text from one of my besties, Andrew. He told me to keep open August 7...For my baby shower! His wife, Jennifer (also a good friend of mine), will be hosting it. I am beside myself with joy! I honestly didn't expect anyone to go out of his or her way to throw me a shower, and it's certainly tacky to ask for one or throw one for your yourself. Joey and I had planned on buying everything we need ourselves, but this is certainly a tremendous surprise! I am forever thankful for Andrew and Jennifer's thoughtfulness.

Friday, June 4, 2010

You know what always seems to make my day better? Actually feeling my baby. His movements, once tiny flutters, are changing. They are starting to feel more like pokes and rumblings with a little bit of strength behind them. He's not keeping me awake at night yet, but he'll get big enough to do so very soon. Right now, I think he might already be responding to my voice and to what I eat.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

I've had a problem with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager. However, since I got pregnant, I've had nary a depression symptom. Although I was required to stop taking all antidepressants and antianxiety medications 2 months before we tried to conceive, I've felt great--better than I've felt in years. It seems that pregnancy hormones work for me in a way that even the best antidepressants never could.

Until now. For the past couple of days, I've been feeling rather down. I can't pinpoint a specific cause, which scares me, because that means the depression might be returning. Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe I'm ready to meet my dear little boy. Maybe I'm overwhelmed.

Of course I am anxious. I have a lot to be anxious about. But I don't feel like that's what's bothering me. I hope it's just a temporary swing.

Other than that, I feel wonderful physically. Sure, I'm still tired as hell, no matter how many hours of sleep I get each night, but I really do feel fine.

About Me

My husband and I had our first baby on October 6, 2010. I am clueless, scared, and overjoyed--toddling along this journey, if you will. Follow along as I sort out my thoughts (the splendid and the sordid) and create a journal our son can enjoy someday.